DARPA is rearranging atoms to produce better materials.
The goal of the Atoms to Product (A2P) project is to assemble nanometer-scale pieces into useful materials. DARPA is conducting the work because many materials have unique and useful behaviors at the nanoscale, which they lose when manufactured at larger dimensions, according to the agency. Those behaviors include quantized current-voltage behavior, mleting at dramatically lower temperatures, or being able to withstand higher specific heats.
DARPA has selected 10 companies and research centers for the project: Zyvex Labs, SRI, University of Notre Dame, Boston University, HRL Laboratories, PARC, Embody, Voxtel, Harvard University, and Draper Laboratory, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
"The ability to assemble atomic-scale pieces into practical components and products is the key to unlocking the full potential of micromachines," said DARPA program manager John Main. "The DARPA Atoms to Product Program aims to bring the benefits of microelectronic-style miniaturization to systems and products that combine mechanical, electrical, and chemical processes."
Michael Peck is a correspondent for Defense News and a columnist for the Center for European Policy Analysis. He holds an M.A. in political science from Rutgers University. Find him on X at @Mipeck1. His email is mikedefense1@gmail.com.
